Uses

What is Mycrogynon ® 30 (Levonorgestrel, Ethinylestradiol) used for?

Microgynon ® 30 contains two active ingredients: ethinylestradiol and levonorgestrel. Ethinylestradiol is a synthetic version of oestrogen and levonorgestrel is a synthetic form of progesterone.

This drug is commonly used for contraception. It works by over-riding the normal menstrual cycle.

How should I take Mycrogynon ® 30 (Levonorgestrel, Ethinylestradiol)?

Microgynon ® 30 is a monophasic pill. This means each tablet has the same dose of hormones in it. You take one tablet every day for 21 days and then have a seven day break from pill-taking. During your seven day break, the levels of the hormones in your blood drop, which results in a withdrawal bleed that is similar to your normal period. You start the next pack after the seven pill-free days are up, even if you are still bleeding.

The tablets come in a calendar pack marked with days of the week to help you remember to take a pill every day for three weeks, followed by a week off. You will still be protected against pregnancy in your pill-free week, provided you took all the pills correctly, you start the next packet on time and nothing else happened that could make the pill less effective (e.g., sickness, diarrhea, or taking certain other medicines – see below).

You should try and take your pill at the same time every day; this will help you remember to take it.

Each tablet should be swallowed with a drink. They can be taken either with or without food.

How do I store Mycrogynon ® 30 (Levonorgestrel, Ethinylestradiol)?

Microgynon ® 30 is best stored at room temperature away from direct light and moisture. To prevent drug damage, you should not store Microgynon ® 30 in the bathroom or the freezer. There may be different brands of Microgynon ® 30 that may have different storage needs. It is important to always check the product package for instructions on storage, or ask your pharmacist. For safety, you should keep all medicines away from children and pets.

You should not flush Microgynon ® 30 down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. It is important to properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist for more details about how to safely discard your product.

Precautions & warnings

What should I know before using Mycrogynon ® 30 (Levonorgestrel, Ethinylestradiol)?

This contraceptive pill will not protect you against sexually transmitted infections, so you may still need to use condoms as well.

Women using this contraceptive for the first time may experience menstrual irregularities such as spotting, breakthrough bleeding or missed periods. Consult your doctor if any breakthrough bleeding persists. If you don’t have a withdrawal bleed for two consecutive months you should do a pregnancy test before starting the next month’s packet of pills.

It is important to be aware that, compared with women who do not use these contraceptives, women taking the combined pill appear to have a small increase in the risk of developing a blood clot in a vein, eg in the leg (deep vein thrombosis) or in the lungs (pulmonary embolism), or a blood clot in an artery, eg causing a stroke or a heart attack. This risk is greater in certain groups of women, particularly smokers and women who are obese.

However, pregnancy carries a much higher risk of blood clots than any pill, so the potential risk must be weighed against the benefits of the contraceptive. You should discuss this with your doctor.

The risk of blood clots forming in the veins (venous thromboembolism) while taking the pill may be temporarily increased if you are immobile for prolonged periods of time, for example if you have a major accident or major surgery. For this reason, your doctor will usually recommend that you stop taking this pill for a period of time (usually four to six weeks) before any planned surgery, particularly abdominal surgery or orthopaedic surgery on the lower limbs (but not before minor surgery like teeth extraction). You will also need to stop taking this pill if you are going to be immobile for long periods, for example because you are confined to bed or have a leg in a plaster cast. You should not start taking the pill again until at least two weeks after you are fully mobile.

There may also be an increased risk of blood clots in the veins if you are travelling for long periods of time where you will be sat still (over three hours). The risk of blood clots during long journeys may be reduced by appropriate exercise during the journey and possibly by wearing elastic hosiery. You should ask your doctor or pharmacist for more advice.

It is important to be aware that women using hormonal contraceptives appear to have a small increase in the risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer, compared with women who do not use these contraceptives. Women who use oral contraceptives for longer than five years may also have a small increase in the risk of being diagnosed with cervical cancer. However, these risks must be weighed against the benefits of using the contraceptive, which include a decrease in the risk of cancers of the ovaries and endometrium (womb). You should discuss the risks and benefits of the pill with your doctor before you start taking it.

Is it safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding?

Microgynon ® 30 is not indicated during pregnancy. If pregnancy occurs during treatment with Microgynon ® 30, further intake must be stopped. However, extensive epidemiological studies have revealed neither an increased risk of birth defects in children born to women who used COCs prior to pregnancy, nor a teratogenic effect when COCs were taken inadvertently during early pregnancy.

The use of Microgynon ® 30 during lactation may lead to a reduction in the volume of milk produced and to a change in its composition. Minute amounts of the active substances are excreted with the milk. These amounts may affect the child particularly in the first 6 weeks post-partum. Mothers who are breastfeeding may be advised instead to use another method of contraception.

Side effects

What side effects can occur from Mycrogynon ® 30 (Levonorgestrel, Ethinylestradiol)?

Stop taking this medicine and inform your doctor immediately if you get any of the following symptoms:

Stabbing pains and/or unusual swelling in one leg

Pain on breathing or coughing

Coughing up blood

Sudden breathlessness

Sudden severe chest pain

Migraine or severe headaches

Sudden disturbance in vision

Hearing or speech

Sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body

Fainting

Collapse

Epileptic seizure

Significant rise in blood pressure

Itching of the whole body

Yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes (jaundice)

Severe stomach pain

Severe depression

Or you think you could be pregnant

Not everyone experiences these side effects. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have any concerns about a side-effect, please consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Interactions

What drugs may interact with Mycrogynon ® 30 (Levonorgestrel, Ethinylestradiol)?

Mycrogynon ® 30 may interact with other drugs that you are currently taking, which can change how your drug works or increase your risk for serious side effects. To avoid any potential drug interactions, you should keep a list of all the drugs you are using (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. For your safety, do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any drugs without your doctor’s approval.

Mycrogynon ® 30 may interact with food or alcohol by altering the way the drug works or increase the risk for serious side effects. Please discuss with your doctor or pharmacist any potential food or alcohol interactions before using this drug.

Mycrogynon ® 30 may interact with your health condition. This interaction may worsen your health condition or alter the way the drug works. It is important to always let your doctor and pharmacist know all the health conditions you currently have.

Dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for any medical advice. You should ALWAYS consult with your doctor or pharmacist before using Mycrogynon ® 30 (Levonorgestrel, Ethinylestradiol).

What is the dose of Mycrogynon ® 30 (Levonorgestrel, Ethinylestradiol) for an adult?

First treatment cycle:

The recommended dose is one tablet daily for 21 days, starting on the first day of the menstrual cycle. Contraceptive protection begins immediately.

Subsequent cycles:

Tablet-taking from the next pack of Microgynon ® 30 is continued after a 7-day tablet-free interval, beginning on the same day of the week as the first pack. A withdrawal bleed usually occurs during the tablet-free interval.

Changing from 21-day combined oral contraceptives:

The first tablet of Microgynon ® 30 should be taken on the first day immediately after the end of the previous oral contraceptive course. Additional contraceptive precautions are not required.

Changing from a combined every day pill (28-day tablets):

Microgynon ® 30 should be started after taking the last active tablet from the Every Day Pill pack. The first Microgynon ® 30 tablet is taken the next day. Additional contraceptive precautions are not then required.

Changing from a progestogen-only pill (POP):

The first tablet of Microgynon ® 30 should be taken on the first day of bleeding, even if a POP has already been taken on that day. Additional contraceptive precautions are not then required. The remaining progestogen-only pills should be discarded.

Post-partum and post-abortum use:

After pregnancy, oral contraception can be started 21 days after a vaginal delivery, provided that the patient is fully ambulant and there are no puerperal complications. Additional contraceptive precautions will be required for the first 7 days of tablet taking. Since the first post-partum ovulation may precede the first bleeding, another method of contraception should be used in the interval between childbirth and the first course of tablets. After a first-trimester abortion, oral contraception may be started immediately in which case no additional contraceptive precautions are required.

What is the dose of Mycrogynon ® 30 (Levonorgestrel, Ethinylestradiol) for a child?

The dosage has not been established in pediatric patients. It may be unsafe for your child. It is always important to fully understand the safety of the drug before using. Please consult with your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

How is Mycrogynon ® 30 (Levonorgestrel, Ethinylestradiol) available?

Mycrogynon ® 30 is available in the following dosage forms and strengths:

Each tablet contains:

Levonorgestrel 150 mcg

Ethinylestradiol 30 mcg

What should I do in case of an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or an overdose, call your local emergency services or go to your nearest emergency room.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget to take your pill at your usual time, take it as soon as you remember. A missed pill is one that is 24 hours or more lately. If you miss a pill, follow the instructions below.

One pill missed

If you forget to take one pill, or start your new pack one day late, you should take the pill you missed as soon as possible, even if this means taking two pills at the same time. Then continue taking the rest of the pack as normal. You will still be protected against pregnancy and you don’t need to use extra contraception.

Two or more pills missed

If you forget to take two or more pills, or start your new pack two or more days late, you won’t be protected against pregnancy. You should take the last pill you missed as soon as possible, even if this means taking two pills at the same time. Leave out the other missed ones. Then continue to take your pills, one every day, as normal. You should either not have sex, or use an extra barrier method of contraception, e.g., condoms, for the next seven days.

If there are fewer than seven pills left in your pack after your last missed pill, you should finish the pack and then start a new pack straight away without a break. This means skipping your pill-free week.

If there are seven or more pills left in your pack after your last missed pill, you should finish the pack and have your seven day break as usual before starting the next pack.

If you had unprotected sex in the seven days before you missed pills, you may need emergency contraception (the morning after pill). Ask for medical advice.

If you are confused about any of this, you can get individual advice for your circumstances from your doctor, pharmacist or local family planning clinic.